- Re-fleeting key to transformative strategy
- Air Botswana seeks to rule regional skies as it breaks new ground with exciting routes
Air Botswana is charting a course toward a vibrant recovery free from turbulence. The airline is embarking on a thrilling transformation journey to enhance its service offerings, explore new routes, and bolster its profitability, the Chief Executive Officer said.
Lulu Rasebotsa voices optimism when she outlines some of the historic projects of this journey. The re-fleet of the national airline by introducing new aircraft of varying capacities is one of them, she says. This will meet current aviation demands as well as allow the airline to break new ground with the addition of new routes.
The re-fleet exercise is generating significant interest, as anticipated in the fragile aviation industry.
Thus far, Air Botswana has purchased three aircrafts out of which one has already arrived. It is scheduled to take to the skies once the cabin crew has been trained on its operations.
The other two are yet to arrive and the airline is currently undergoing the procurement process for the fourth aircraft, the CEO discloses.
The aircrafts purchased are an Embraer E175: which was purchased at USD9 500 000); and two Embraer ERJ145s.
Rasebotsa reiterated that the procurement process adhered to the stringent guidelines set forth by the Public Procurement Act of 2021, which governs all government and state-owned entity procurements.
“The procurement process is being handled in-house and Air Botswana has not at any point used or intend to use the services of an agent. It follows therefore that no funds have “since disappeared” and any statement to this effect is baseless and unfounded,” she said with finality.
She further reinforced that the airline has neither sought nor received assistance or influence from the Directorate on Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) or its head – Peter Magosi.
To ultimately proceed with the aircraft purchase, Rasebotsa explained that Air Botswana evaluated bids by reviewing aircraft records and conducting physical inspections, including engine runs, among other assessments.
Payment was made only upon delivery and the completion of transactions. In cases where the terms required a deposit or full payment before delivery, the funds were held in escrow accounts. These funds were released only after the provision of specific documents and multiple verification steps confirming delivery and transaction closure.
“The recently purchased E175 was flown out of Maastricht, Netherlands following issuance of a Certificate of Airworthiness by the Civil Aviation Authority Botswana (CAAB) on 23rd August 2024,” she said, in reference to the first aircraft recently delivered. She added that to achieve this, the CAAB sent an inspector to Netherlands to inspect and certify the aircraft.
A determination was made that the aircraft could fly safely. Rasebotsa said at the time the aircraft was flown out of the Netherlands, it had some deferments on some components in accordance with its Minimum Equipment List (MEL). MEL is a customised document from the Manufacturer that guides and directs the operation of an aircraft with certain components in unserviceable states for some time depending on their criticality. This is allowed and normal and it gives an operator latitude to continue operating while sourcing the replacement part. An aircraft with a MEL item or a deferment does not mean that an aircraft is not airworthy, she clarified.
Moreover, she proceeded to say that the route for this Aircraft was Maastricht, Netherlands to Luxor, Egypt to Nairobi, Kenya to Gaborone, Botswana. She said the aircraft was flown by Air Botswana pilots and an Air Botswana engineer. As it is a standard practice, at each stop the aircraft underwent checks by the engineer on board.
“We know that transformative exercises by their nature bring a lot of uncertainty both internally and externally. During all this, we wish to assure our valued customers and the public at large that the airline is committed to continue to provide them with air transportation services while upholding the highest degree of safety.”
The national airliner’s commitment to safety extends beyond mere rhetoric. The CEO highlights that Air Botswana’s safety record is a testament to this commitment. For example, the airline boasts impressive IOSA safety ratings, which place it in good standing with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
She added that Air Botswana will continue to work to improve its product offering and customer value proposition without compromise staying cognisant to the value garnered from air transport connectivity at an individual and national level.
To Rasebotsa, this is a commitment shared by the shareholder, and the government, through their shared purpose of promoting and protecting Brand Botswana, as well as ensuring the profitability and continued growth of the aviation industry in the country.
Rasebotsa revealed that the success of the current re-fleeting exercise is attributed to funds provided by the government, as a shareholder. She also noted that various stakeholders with the necessary expertise were consulted and engaged throughout the process.
“These include the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) Air Arm Command and the Civil Aviation Authority Botswana (CAAB) as the regulatory authority. Air Botswana further conducted quality checks of the aircraft with their manufacturer,” she said, adding that while acquiring pre-owned aircrafts is the norm in the aviation industry, the government and the airline would never compromise the safety of the airline’s crew, its people nor that of passengers using the national carrier.
